Agreed. As someone who works in the IT department of a financial company, I wouldn't try to get around the rules. It's usually not worth it. You don't want anybody having anything bad to say about you.

If you need access to aim, you can get it on your phone (if you have an unlimited data plan) or on your personal laptop (if you have an aircard).

An unlimited mobile plan is about $45 per month, and an aircard is about $70 per month.

This is my environment: I work in a hedge fund, so it's not like I'm going to lose my job; on the trading floor so I can't have a laptop next to me and I have multiple screens so it's not like it totally distracts me.

It's just the convinence of having AIM. I have it on my Blackberry and I'm using Ramble, but that gets annoying.

If they are blocking IM, they are probably also blocking Proxy sites as well.

Most filter systems have gotten to the point that they recognize IM HTTP requests and block them. Or worse, Log them.

If you send IM through their infrastructure they can log it and see everything you say. And use it against you. So if they have an ANTI-IM policy then your best bet is not to do it on their Infrastructure. Use your cell phone. Then if you get in trouble for using your phone to much you are not necessarily on the record saying your boss sucks or something.